Rotary machine



Jan. 10, 192:;

1,656,017 J. J. RING ROTARY MACHINE Filed June 29. 1925 m, MW 7 Km. ii

Patented. Jan. 10,1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Josnrn .r. RING, or WAUWATOSA, isconsin, ASSIGNOR r ALLIS-CHALMEBS mnnuraorunme oomrsnr, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 01 DELAWARE.

Application filed June 29, 1925.- Serial Io. 40,136.

lhis invention relates in general to im provements in rotary machines, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of the rotors a of rotary machines which are adapted to either propel o'r'to be propelled by fluid,

the invention being especially capable "of,

adaptation in fluid pumps or turbines.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary machine which is simple in construction. and eflicient in operation. j Another object of the invention isto provide improved mechanism for controlling the operation of rotary machines.- A further object of the invention isto provide .aniinproved rotor structure especially applicable to rotary. machines which are operable at relatively high" speeds. Still another object of the inventionis to provide simple and eficient means for effecting angular adjustment of the vanes of a rotoreither while the rotor is lIllIlOtlOIl or while it" is at rest. A further object of the invention isto provide means for. effectively locking the movable vanes of rotor or the like in adjusted position.- Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the course of the following description. Some of the novel features of rotor vane adjustment shoviin but not specifically claimed herein, formthe subject-matter of a co-pending application Serial No. 35,517, filed June 8,1925.

' A clear conception of an embodiment of thepresent invention and of the operation of devices constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and formlng a part of this specification in which like reference to characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views. 1

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a vertical hydraulic turbine installation comprising an axial flow rotor having adjustable vanes. f

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged central vertical section through a portion of the ime proved turbine rotor and through the main shaft thereof.

Fig.3 is a top view of the vane adjusting and position indicating mechanism.

Fig. 4% is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section through another form of ROTARY nmonmn.

vane adjusting and position indicating mechproveinent are more generally applicable to rotors of various kinds, such as pumps, blowers, propellers, steam turbines, etc. The

hydraulic turbine unit illustrated in the drawing, comprises in general a rotor 2 having a plurality of vanes 3 radiating from a central hub 4 which is secured to the lower flange of a hollow'ihain shaft 5; a

ber 8 for conducting water from a enstock or flume 14 toward the rotor 2 in t e form of a vortex and in an axial direction; and adraft tube 11 for conducting Water from main turbine casing 6 forming an inlet cham the rotor 2 to the tail race 12 in a well known manner.

The dovetail shaped radiatingvanes 3 of the rotor 2 are pivotally associated with the hub 4, the inner extremity of each vane '8 being'provided with a plurality of'concentric cylindrical bearing portions 18, 19', 20 which are journaled within the hub 4E, and the axes of all of which lie in a common plane disposed perpendicular to the axes of the rotor 2, Ihe huh 4 is split, being formed of upper and lower sections detachably connected to each 0th r and to the lower flange of the main sha t 5, the hubbeing split in the plane of the axes of the vane pivots and the upper hub section having an integral central projection 21 extending into the lower section, and having the vane portions 20 journaled therein. Each of the vanes 3 has a bevel gear segment 17 formed integral therewith between the bearings 19, 20 thereof, the lower hub section 47 being formed as a continuous ring and coacting with the outer side surfaces of all of the segments 17 as shownin Fig. 2 in order to retain the vanes against disloo placement away from the hub 1. Located within the hollow main shaft 5 of the turbine, is an auxiliary or adjusting shaft 15 which besides passing entirely through the main shaft 5 as illustrated in Fig. 2 also extends downwardly through the central projection 21 of the upper section of the hub 4. The lower extremity of the adjusting shaft 15 is provided with a bevel pinion 16 which coacts with thegear segments 17 of .the

, vanes 3. Airemovable capsecured to the lower hub section encloses and prote'cts the gearings' 16, 17. 1

The mechanism for effecting adjustment of the vanes 3-about their pivotal axes, is

associated with the upper extremity of the adjusting shaft as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,. AInutilated [worm wheel 22 is splincd' upon the upper extremity of the shaft 15 by;

means of a spline 30 and has a lower surface which coacts with an upper surface of a support 29 secured to the upper extremity 'of the hollow main shaft 5. A worm shaft 23 is carried in bearings formed integral with the support 29, the'shaft- 23 having an adjusting nut 32 associated with one end thereof, a locking nut 31 associated with the opposite end thereof, and aiworm 24 formed on its medial portion. The worm 24 coacts with theteeth 25 of the worm wheel 22, and the worm wheel 22 has an indicator 26 formed integral therewith and cooperating adjusting means is disposed between flanges 34, 36 formed respectively on the upper and lower sections of the hollow main shaft 5.

e In this embodimentv of the invention the upper shaft section 33 need not be bored as in theembodiment .of Fig. 2. The flanges 34, 36 are separated to permit insertion of an intermediate member 35 which is recessed to receive the various adjusting elements. The mutilated worm wheel 38 is rotatable with the upper extremity of the adjusting shaft 15 by virtue of a spline as previously described, and cooperates with a worm wheel 37 formed integral with the-medial portionof a worm shaft 46 mounted within the member 35 and capable of rotation by virtue of a polygonal end projection. The worm wheel 38 carries an indicator 41 cooperating with a dial 42 associated with the lower flange 36. The upper extremity ofthe adjusting shaft 15 is further provided with a recess 43 which receives prongs formed .in-

tegral with a locking worm wheel "39.: The

worm wheel 39 ismounted for movement along'the screw threads of a stud 40 which is rigidly attached to the member 35; The teeth of the worm wheel 39 coact with a worm carried by a locking shaft 44 which is plinion 16 [may be moved.

supported in the member 35 and is prevented from moving endwise by means of a groove and pin 45. The shaft 44 is capable of rotation by virtue of a polygonal'end projection thereon and rotation of the shaft 44 causesthe worm wheel 39 to move longitudinally upon the screw threads of the stationery stud 40. v

The hollow main'shaft '5 which supports the rotor 2 and the mechanism for adjusting the vanes thereof, is mounted in suitable bearings in the main casing 6 and in the and water is'admitted from the fiume 14 past the guide vanes 7 and through the transition space 8 to the rotor 2 from which the water is discharged through the draft'tube 11 tothe tail race 12. The quantity of water thus admitted to the rotor may be varied in a well known manner, by adjustment of the guide vanes 71- The vortex of liquid produced by the guide vanes 7 and entering the rotor 2 from the vane-free transition space '8, produces rotation of the shafts 5, 15 and of the rotor of the energy translating device'9. Referring specifically to the embodiment of the invention shown in Flgs l, 2 and 3, if

the rotor vanes 3 about their-pivotal axes,

it is necessary to shut off the flow of operating fluid and to stop'the unit. When the rotor is at rest, the vanes 3 may be unlocked by releasing the-set screw 28 thereby permi-tting thev internal shaft 15 and the pinion 16 to drop slightly and freeing the gear segments 17 Upon release of the set screw 28, the lock nut 31 may. also be released whereupon the worm 24 is free to be rotated byithe application of a. wrench to the shaft end '32. Rotation of the worm 24 produces rotary movement of the gear segment 22, of the operating shaft 15, of the pinion 16 and of the segments 17 thus causing the vanes 3 to simultaneously rotate about their pivotal axes. It will be apparent that by rotating the'worm 24 in one direction the vanes 3 will be tilted in a predetermined direction,

The'indicator 26 cooperating with the dial ,2? clearly indicates the position of adjustment of the vanes3. When the vanes 3 have been properly adjusted, they may be locked vin adjusted position. by manipulation of the set screw 28 to raise the shaft 15 and to 'lockedto the hub 4 in an adjusted position,

it is desired to effect angular adjustment of.

lln

and that-opposite rotation of the worm 24 v i will result in opposite tilting of the vanes 3.

wedge the pinion 16 against the segments 17 of the vanes.

Referring specifically to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, if

it is desired to effect. angular adjustment of the rotor vanes about their pivotal axes, the unit must be shut down as previously explained whereupon the vanes may be unlocked by rotating the shaft 44 withthe aid of a socket wrench applied to the polygonal shaft end. The rotary movement of the shaft l l is transmittedto the locking worm wheel 39 enacting with the fixed stud 4:0,and

i the degree of adjustment and the position of the vanes. When proper adjustment of the vanes has been effected, the lockingshaft a l and ,gear 39 may again be manipulated to cause the gear 39 to ride-upwardly along the stud l and to firmlyl'ock the shaft and bevel gears 16, 17 in adjusted position.

It will be apparent that the vane adjusting mechanisms are readily accessible from the exterior of theturbine casing 6 and that the locking deyiceeifectively maintains the vanes 3 in adjusted position. The rotor 2 may be readily dismantled by removing the cap 10 and the clampingbolts which norinally hold the hub sections together, whereupon the vanes 3 are released and removable. The lower hub section f? coacts with the outer surfaces of the segments 17 and thereby prevents outward displacement of the vanes 3, and the plural bearings 18, 19, 20 for each vane 3 effectively retain the vanes in position. It will be understood that only slight adjustment of the vanes 3 is ordinarily desired thereby permitting the use of relatively narrow gear segments 1'? and reducing the diameter of the hub l to a minimum. I

ft should be understood that it is not de sired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art,

ft is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. ln combination, a main shaft, a vane pivotally associated with said main shaft, an adjusting shaft disposed concentrically of said main shaft, motion transmitting mech anism connecting said adjusting shaft with said vane, means for relatively rotating said main and said adjusting shafts to vary the angularity of said vane about its pivotal axis, and means for axially shifting said adjusting shaft to positively lock said vane in an ad usted position. i

2. In combination, a main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a vane pivotally supported by said hub, gearing associated with 'said vane adjacent to its pivot, an adjusting shaft, motion transmitting mechanism connecting said adjusting shaft and said gearing, and means for axially shifting said adjusting shaft toloclr said gearing in an ad justed position.

3. In combination, a-main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a plurality of vanes radiating. from the'axis of said main shaft and pivotallysupported by said hub, a gear associated with each of said'vanes adjacent to its pivot, an adjusting shaft disposed conc'entrically of said main shaft, a gear carried by said adjusting shaft and meshing with said vane gears, and means for moving said ad usting shaft gear along the axis of said 7 main shaft to lock said vane gears in adjusted po'sitlon.

1. In combination, a hollow main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a plurality of vanes pivotally supported by said hub, a gear associated with each of said vanes adjacent to its pivot, an adjusting shaft" located within said main shaft and extending through said hub,'a gear connecting said adjusting shaft and said vane gears at the side of said hub remote from said hollow shaft, and means for axially moving said adjusting shaft gear to lock said vane gears in adjusted position.

5. In combination, a hollow main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a plurality of vanes pivotally supported by said hub, a bevel gear associated with each of said vanes adjacent to its pivot, an adjusting shaft located within said hollow shaft, a bevel pinion secured to said adjusting-shaft and coactingwith said bevel gears, and means for shifting said pinion airially to lock said gears in adjusted position. v

6. In combination, a hollow main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a plurality of vanes pivotally supported by said hub, a bevel gear segment rigidly attached to each of said vanes adjacent to its pivot, an ad justing shaft located within said main shaft and extending through and beyond the pivot al axes of said vanes, a bevel pinion secured to the end of said adjusting shaft at the side of said hub remote from said main shaft and coacting with all of said gears, and means for axially shifting said pinion to lock said vanes in adjusted position.

7. ln combination, a hollow main shaft, a hub secured to said shaft, a plurality of vanes pivotally supported by said hub, a bevel gear associated with each of said vanes adjacent to its pivot,an adinsting shaft 10- cated within said inainshaft and extending through saidhub, a bevel pinion connecting said adjusting shaft and said gears at the side of said hub remote from said hollow shaft, means associated with a medial pertion of said main shaft for adjusting said vanes throughsaid. pinion and gears, and

means for axially shifting said pinionto lock said vanes in adjusted position.

'8. In combination, a hollow mainshaft,

an ener translatin device coo eratin b D I B with one end of said main shaft, a hub secured to the opposite; end of said'main shaft,

a plurality of vanes piv'o'tally supported by said hub, a bevel gear associated with each of said vanes adjacent to its pivot, an adjusting shaft located within said main shaft,

a bevel pinion connecting said adjusting shaft and said gear, means associated with said main shaft between said device and said hub for relatively rotating said shafts to adjust the angularity of said vanes through said pinion and said gears, and means for axially shifting said pinion to wedge the same between said gears.

9. In combination, a main shaft, a vane pivotally associated with said shaft, an adjusting shaft disposed concentrically of said 'inaiii shaft, means for relatively rotating said shafts to vary. the angularity of said.

vane about its pivotal axis, and means for a relatively moving said shafts longitudinally .longitudinally of each other to lock said vanes in adjusted position.

11. In combination, a hollow main shaft, avane' pivotally associated with said shaft, an adjusting shaft disposed within said main shaft, means for relatively rotating said shafts to adjust said vane about its pivotal axis, and means for relatively moving said shafts longitudinally of each other to lock said vane in an-adjusted position.

12. In combination, a hollow main shaft, a plurality of vanes pivotally associated with said shaft, an adjusting. shaft within said main shaft, means for relatively moving said shafts to snnultaneously adjust said vanes about their pivotal axes, and

means for relatively moving said shafts to positively lock said vanes in adjusted position.

In-test'iinony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

I JOSEPH J. RING. 

